Formerly 'OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION' Harry tries to comfort Hermione after she and Ron get into another argument. What exactly happened? And where will it lead? Post-Hogwarts. AU, to a degree. Rated R...just in case. new chapter

Disclaimer: I own nothing, especially anything you recognize. And if you don't recognize something, I made it up.

Object of my Affection

Chapter 1: A fight, some tea and a nap

"How many times do I have to tell you?!" a girl's voice yelled. "He
kissed me!"

"But you didn't try to stop him!" countered a boy.

Harry Potter groaned and rolled over, pulling his pillow over his head in a vain attempt to try and drown out the sounds-albeit familiar-of his best friends fighting. 'Not again,' he thought.

"It was a sneak attack. I didn't see it coming!" came the answer from the girl.

"Well you should've," was the boy's retort. "I told you Kevin was up to no good."

"Ronald Weasley, you are too suspicious!" the girl spat. "Besides, why does it matter?"

"Hermione, are too trusting!" Ron yelled in return. "And it just does."

"To think, I actually trusted you would be able to handle me telling you what happened. I thought you'd be an adult for once," Hermione said. "Guess I do have to be more careful about who I trust," she added sarcastically.

With that, Hermione turned and stomped up the stairs, her light brown hair flying behind her. She slammed her bedroom door so hard Harry felt the walls shake.

Downstairs, Ron let out a strangled noise and stormed out of the house, muttering something that sounded vaguely like "Girls!"

"Well, I guess I'm up now," Harry mumbled to himself. He got out of bed and put his glasses on.

Knowing Hermione needed to be left alone for a little while before she would be able to talk, Harry ambled down the stairs and put the kettle on. He pulled down his Puddlemere United mug, which happened to be Hermione's favorite, and got out her favorite herbal tea.

When the water was ready, he poured it into the mug and put the tea bag in, leaving it in for the appropriate amount of time. He added two spoonfuls of sugar and headed back upstairs.

He knocked on Hermione's door, and hearing no answer, opened the door slowly. "Hermione?" he called tentatively through the crack.

The scene before him made his heart break. Hermione was lying on her stomach, her face buried in her pillow, clutching a Cabbage Patch Kid -her favorite doll as a child-crying her eyes out.

"Hey kiddo," Harry said softly, reaching out to touch her back.

Hermione stiffened upon first contact, then relaxed as she realized who it was. "Hey Harry," she answered, still sobbing into her pillow.

"I brought you some tea. Thought it might help a little," he said, offering her the cup. "Just the way you like it."

"Thank you," she answered, flipping over and sitting up. Taking a sip, she mumbled "S'good."

"Anything for you Minee (a/n: pronounced 'my-knee)" answered Harry.

Hermione managed a weak smile at the use of her familiar nickname. Harry was the only one who could get away with calling her anything other than Hermione; it was usually reserved for times of playfulness or seriousness, as was the case here.

The two sat in silence as Hermione leaned against her headboard, occasionally sipping her tea. Harry's mouth felt dry and he wished he would've brought up some tea for himself.

"Do you want the rest of this?" Hermione asked, as though reading his mind.

"Sure," he answered. "Thanks."

Harry took the mug and finished it in one gulp. "Not bad. A little on the sweet side for me though."

He put the mug on Hermione's nightstand and noticed she had begun sobbing again. Without a word, he opened his arms and Hermione fell into them. She cried into Harry's shoulder while he just held her tight, rubbing her back and stroking her hair. "It's going to be ok. Just let it out," he murmured. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Hermione looked into his emerald eyes with her chocolate ones and Harry could see the emotions reflected in them: hurt, anger, frustration and sadness. Two lone tears fell and Harry gently wiped them away.

"You don't have to, but I wanted to offer," he continued. "Not right now. Not really," she answered. "What I really want to do is lie down for a bit."

"Ok," Harry said, making a move to get up. "I'll let you be."

"No!" Hermione exclaimed. "Please stay with me. For a little while?" she pleaded.

Seeing the look in her eyes and realizing how tired he was, Harry concurred. "Ok, but only for a little bit. Got to get my day started at some point."

Keeping his arms around her, the two slid down the headboard until they were lying under the covers.

"I'm sorry we woke you, Harry," Hermione said, suddenly looking sheepish. "I thought you were still at Maddy's. I never heard you come in last night."

"Yeah, well, I didn't come in until about 3. I, er, we decided it wouldn't be a good idea for me to stay," Harry answered, his face turning red.

"That, Miss Granger, is none of your business," Harry shot back. "And if you're going to continue, I will have to take my leave," he added mischievously.

"Don't go. I promise I'll be good," Hermione answered quickly.

Hermione was very quiet for a few minutes and just when Harry thought she was asleep, he heard her whisper, "If Maddy thinks you are even half as wonderful as I do, she's never going to let you go. She's one lucky witch. And so'm I, to have you as my best friend."

"And I am one lucky wizard to have you as my best friend," he answered.

"Thank you, Harry." Hermione was almost inaudible. "Love you."

"Love you, too, Minee," he whispered back.

Hermione snuggled closer to Harry and he kissed the top of her head. 'I'll just lie here for a few minutes' he thought. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, feeling very comfortable have Hermione next to him.

A/n: yes, yes, I know. New nickname for Hermione. No one likes it. 'Hermione' is just too long to say when you have a comforting moment. Besides, I think it makes them closer.

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